Growing numbers of church leaders are discovering that many films are able to impact viewers with Gospel truths almost as well as a good sermon. Former pastor and longtime reviewer of films Ed McNulty offers this guide to help church leaders enter into dialogue with contemporary films.

McNulty carefully crafts a theology of movies and then provides practical suggestions for creating and leading movie discussions with groups. In addition, he provides people from all across the theological spectrum with a framework to understand whether the overall message of a film outweighs concerns over profanity, violence, or sex in the film.

He concludes by introducing twenty-seven films and including provocative questions about each that will prepare leaders to assemble and facilitate a group. Popular films explored include The Color Purple; Crash; Hotel Rwanda; The Matrix; Million Dollar Baby; O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Shawshank Redemption.

Edward N. McNulty is an author and speaker on the topic of film and religion. He is founder and editor of Visual Parables, a monthly newsletter, and is author of Praying the Movies and Praying the Movies II, both available from Westminster John Knox Press.

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